- Families, friends and neighbors pulled together to produce mosaic stepping stones in memory of the honorees.
West Side residents gathered at the African Garden Saturday, Oct. 15 for a day of arts and crafts, sponsored by EveryBlock and organized by resident and community leader Valerie Leonard.
“I’m very pleased on how well it turned out. It was good to have a reunion with all the members who started the African Garden,” Leonard said.
Members from the North Lawndale Small Grants Human Development Corp., the North Lawndale Greening Committee, the 1200 South Central Park Block Club, the 3500 West 12th Place Block Club, the Carey Tercentenary AME Church family and several other community members attended.
Becca Martin poses with EveryBlock posters from the 24th Ward, including Valerie F. Leonard, Seth Barnhart and Mike Morgan.
“The artist for a day event was a great opportunity for us to support one of our most active EveryBlock neighborhoods,” EveryBlock Community Manager Becca Martin wrote in an e-mail.
“Committed and engaged residents like Valerie Leonard make a difference in their communities, and the same holds true on EveryBlock. Our goal is to help people make their communities better, either by connecting them with their neighbors, helping them share information or keeping them informed about what’s going on.
The Kern sisters and Connie Jackson, of Carey Tercentenary AME Church, take time to strike a pose in "v" formation. (From left to right) Lorretta Kern, Joyce Hardaway, Connie Jackson, JoAnn Kern and Karina Kern.
“Saturday’s event was a wonderful example of the the power online communities can have in bringing people together in the real world,” wrote Martin.
Click here to view all the photographs from Saturday’s event.
I would like to thank EveryBlock once more for hosting the contest. I can honestly say that but for the contest, this artist for a day event would not have happened. I thank the EveryBlock community for supporting me in the contest, and for coming out to the event. I thank AustinTalks for the coverage, both in advance and after the event. This coverage helped our turnout, and our documentation.
Valerie,
You are doing a commendable work with helping to build the community. I know that you have been a tireless contributor who truly believes in community and the value of leaving a lasting legacy of love and hope. Thank you and God bless you for your efforts.